My TK 2000 has a swinging control station. I can saw from either the left or right. Can't saw from the center because I'm using the dragback.
If I saw from the right side the cant blocks my view of the log stops. Sawing from the left the cant blocks my view of the clamp and turner. I would like to saw from the right as that keeps me out of the sawdust. I would also like to see my log stops without doing a quick dance to see how high they are. My thoughts are to attach a mirror to enable me to see the stops.
Thought I would ask if anybody has a better solution. Maybe some kind of indicator that would mark the height of the stops?
Sorry, can't help. Sounds like sooner or later you gonna hear that magic squeal of blade and back stop.
I ran into the same blind spot on the cook's mill. A big old mirror hung up on the far side of the sawdust pile made a big difference. Kind of a pain to haul a mirror on a portable job though. Smaller mirror on the saw head may work for you.
Not sure how your TK stops are hinged but what you need is a short pointer that is at the same angle as the rear stop on your side of the mill.Nothing big to get in the way but easy to see and to tell if your up down or half way. Frank C.
The B20 stops aren't hinged, they go straght up and down. i think you should get fancy and put on a electronic hieght sensor kind of like the sensor on the setworks. Or you could rig up a shaft going to the back with a pointer driven off the shaft that drives the stops. Steve
I ran into that same problem and found that mirrors don't work too good. You lose the relative size and height of the dogs. I finally just resolved myself into looking and dealing with the "Crink" in my neck. :)
You find that you won't be able to see something, regardless of where you stand. There is stuff on both sides of the log.
my manual mill has a stop to catch the head if the back stop is up to high. i am not sure how well this would work on a power feed mill. you can see it well in this pic. it is a square tube that hangs down in front of the far roller guide. it slips through a larger tube and has a small cable run to the operators side that will pick it up when pulled on. the catch will hang on knots and such on the first cut so thats the reason for the pick up cable. the backstops on this mill have a catcher welded to the top of them that will hook the stop tube. pc
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20540/2953/sawmill_005.JPG)
thats the back stop in the lower lh corner. this lil contraption has stopped me from cutting the backstops many times.
On my bandmill I put a small piece just in front of and just below the stationary guide.If it hits the upright it will ether stop the carriage or push the stop down out of the way,theirs no way it will let the band hit the stop. Frank C.
Larry, I'm not exactly in your situation but there are times when I would like to see the far end of the log.
One thing I'm exploring right now is one of those "backup cameras" that were invented for SUV owners. It has a tiny digital camera that mounts above the license plate and a small LCD screen that mounts on the dashboard. The camera and the screen both require 12V, but the video signal itself is wireless. Everything is solid state so it will probably stand up to the vibration on the mill. Around here you can find them on sale for $100 or less.
That's just a pretty DanG good idea. I did a little research and think I'll order this one.
http://www.rearviewsafety.com/products/rvs-770617n-rear-view-camera-system.html
Thanks Brucer.
Hey, that's a dang cool idea. Larry, this one is going to call for a video! 8)
I can't imagine a video of log stops going up and down is going to be to exciting, but I'll do what I can. :D :D
that could create one of those black hole effects, taking video of something video, couldnt it? dont fall in the black hole! pc
These backup cameras work well, just keep the sun off the screen with a cover so you can see the picture. The only problem is people tend to focus on the picture and lose track of the other important things taking place.
It might be better with a DRO , they sell them for planers and table saws for less than $100 .. Steve
Heck, if it doesn't work you could even put it on your car. ;D
I didn't even know about these things until 3 years ago when the local auto-parts store had them on sale on the front counter. I was worried that they would have a wide-angle lens and not give me the detail I needed. So I asked if they had one set up as a demo. Ha! What a weird idea. So the following conversation took place:
Me: "So if I buy this and it doesn't work out, can I return it?"
Salesman: "Normally you could but there's a 'no-return' policy on sale items."
Me: "So if I bought one next week when the sale is over, I could return it?"
Salesman: "Sure, no problem."
Me: "Well, can you sell it to me now at the regular price?"
Salesman: "Uhhhh ... I don't think we can do that?"
Me: "OK, bye."
>:(
I got busy and never did get around to trying it.
Larry, their has to be a way to attach something to the backstop linkages so you can get a good idea how high they are,even if its a wire cable with a weight on the end.I do believe mini TV screen would be more trouble than its worth,remember the KISS principal. Frank C.
Steve, I couldn't find a DRO with enough capacity for the log stops. At least in the $100 range.
A few years ago HF was selling a backup camera system for $40. A couple of friends bought them and they work great for hooking up a trailer. No more getting out 4 times to check the ball. HF for some reason discontinued them and I forgot about the idea until now. One would be great for a portable sawyer.
KISS is a great idea Frank. When I bought the new TK I would have never spent the money for setworks if it were an option. Now I can't imagine sawing without it. I do have a simple idea that may work...if only it would quit raining.
The KISS method is the best most of the time. My setworks quit working (just a loose gear by the sensor) for the last hour of a job last week, I sure wouldn't be without it either. Steve
Quote from: Larry on April 25, 2011, 06:55:03 AM
No more getting out 4 times to check the ball.
My record is around 13 times!
Quote from: Brucer on April 25, 2011, 01:39:33 AM
I didn't even know about these things until 3 years ago when the local auto-parts store had them on sale on the front counter. I was worried that they would have a wide-angle lens and not give me the detail I needed. So I asked if they had one set up as a demo. Ha! What a weird idea. So the following conversation took place:
Me: "So if I buy this and it doesn't work out, can I return it?"
Salesman: "Normally you could but there's a 'no-return' policy on sale items."
Me: "So if I bought one next week when the sale is over, I could return it?"
Salesman: "Sure, no problem."
Me: "Well, can you sell it to me now at the regular price?"
Salesman: "Uhhhh ... I don't think we can do that?"
Me: "OK, bye."
>:(
I got busy and never did get around to trying it.
thats got to be one conversation any parts salesman hasnt had before. ''will you take $10 more for it?'' :D pc
Quote from: paul case on April 25, 2011, 09:27:55 AM
thats got to be one conversation any parts salesman hasnt had before. ''will you take $10 more for it?'' :D pc
That was about what it would cost to make another trip. Then there was my time -- half an hour each way. Besides, it's a good way to "test" a business. Are they willing to accommodate the customer, or do they want the customer to fit their way of doing business?
I also gotta confess that it's sometimes worth it to see the expression on their faces ;D.
Brucer, I think I am gonna try your tactics on some of the businesses around here just to open up some eyes if nothing else. :D Some of these businesses are so set in their ways around here that it's no wonder why so many of them are so close to closing up shop. ::)
For the record, I work at a parts counter and I woulda' sold it without a second thought. :D